Kylian Mbappé was never afraid to say what he thinks. But this time, his words resonate like an earthquake in the world of football. Questioned byTF1On his prognosis for the next Ballon d’Or, the Captain of the Blues surprised by dismissing the name of the Prodige BarcelonaisLamine Yamal, yet presented by many as the future heir to Lionel Messi. For Mbappé, the choice is clear:Ousmane Dembélé deserves more than anyone to lift the prestigious trophy in 2025.

“Does Dembélé deserves the Ballon d’Or? Of course ! If it was up to me to decide, I would personally give him the trophy at home, “said Mbappé with an accomplice smile, while adding that his friendAchraf HakimiAlso deserves a very high place in the ranking, because “defenders are too often forgotten”.

These words did not take long to ignite the football planet. On the one hand, PSG supporters applaud this flawless support towards Dembélé, which has become in a few months a centerpiece of the Parisian project. On the other, Barcelona fans cry out for injustice, accusing Mbappé of having voluntarily dismissed their 18 -year -old jewel, Lamine Yamal, currently in full explosion and already decisive in major European evenings.

Dembélé, from fragile player to pretender the Ballon d’Or

Dembélé’s journey resembles a Renaissance. Long criticized for his recurring injuries and his lack of consistency at FC Barcelona, ​​the French winger has radically changed dimension since his arrival at PSG. Under the orders ofLuis Enrique, it has become much more than a simple spectacular dribbler: an offensive leader, a game creator and a decisive player in the most tense moments.

Its 2024-2025 season will remain engraved in the history of the Parisian club. Goals, assists, leadership … and especially thisChampions League conquered with brilliance, where he was one of the major craftsmen of the coronation. Dembélé has silenced criticism, and his name is now at the top of the list of credible candidates in the Ballon d’Or.

But the trajectory is not without pitfalls. While the hype around him reached his peak, an injury in the selection came to upset everything. Paris retains her breath: how long will it take to Dembélé to come back? Could this absence compromise its chances of winning the supreme reward?

Yamal, the other ignored pretender

If Mbappé has chosen Dembélé, the rest of the world of football only has eyes forLamine Yamal. At 18, the Spanish prodigy of Barça already impresses with its maturity, technique and composure. Many observers see him as the ideal candidate for the Ballon d’Or, a new face to embody the future of world football.

The fact that Mbappé has dismissed his name with a touch of humor – “not Yamal, he plays at Barça (laughs)” – did not fail to cause an uproar in Spain. For Catalan supporters, this is a lack of respect for a player who, week after week, shows that he can already compete with the older ones.

A declaration with multiple consequences

Beyond the simple prognosis, the media output of Mbappé could have deep repercussions. First in the PSG locker room: his public support in Dembélé and Hakimi reinforces the idea of ​​a French-Moroccan hard core in the heart of the Parisian project. But it also places enormous pressure on Dembélé, now expected at the turn to confirm that it really deserves this consecration.

Then, on the international level, Mbappé’s words are likely to feed a media rivalry between PSG and Barça, two clubs already in competition on the European scene. Lamine Yamal could use this spike as an additional source of motivation to shine even more and prove to Mbappé – and to the whole world – that he is indeed the future king of the round ball.

Towards an explosive Ballon d’Or in 2025

The Golden Ball 2025 is therefore more open and exciting than ever. Dembélé, Yamal, but also Haaland, Vinícius Jr., Jude Bellingham or Rodri: the list of suitors is long and each performance will count. In this context, each word of Mbappé takes on disproportionate importance, as its influence in world football is great.

Anyway, the French captain’s declaration had the merit of spicing up the race. Dembélé, injured but carried by the total confidence of his teammate, is found under the spotlight. Yamal, stung in her pride, could still surprise. And in the middle of this duel at a distance, the world of football has never been so impatient to discover who will brandish the Ballon d’Or next December.

One thing is certain: Mbappé has revived the debate, and it will be followed closely.